Enterprise uses stout D' to beat Clarkdale

By Staff
PULLED DOWN Enterprise's Adam Simpson is taken down by Clarkdale's Jeremy Street for a loss during Thursday night's game. Photo by Paula Merritt/The Meridian Star
By Robby Atkinson / staff writer
Sept. 5, 2003
The Enterprise Bulldogs and the Clarkdale Bulldogs haven't met on the gridiron since 1998, and on this night Enterprise won the battle of the Bulldogs by a final score of 20-6 in front of a standing room only crowd at Clarkdale.
Enterprise totaled 295 yards of total offense paced by a solid running attack to dominate Clarkdale on the night. Enterprise head coach Joel Speed was very pleased with the way the defense performed in the win.
"The defensive side of the ball was a concern coming into the season and we have a few changes on that side of the ball and it really paid off tonight," Speed said. "I am very proud of the way we played and we just need to keep our momentum pointed in the right direction."
The Enterprise defense did an outstanding job by holding the Clarkdale offense to only 60 yards total offense. The big plus for Speed and company was that Clarkdale only managed one yard rushing on the night. "We knew coming into the game that Clarkdale was a very tough team on defense and we knew that we were going to need be on top of our game," Speed added.
Enterprise opened the game with an impressive kickoff return to put themselves in Clarkdale territory. Adam Simpson took the kick 47 yards to put EHS just over the 50-yard line. The drive would stall for Enterprise as Clarkdale would take over on offense. The homestanding Bulldogs couldn't get anything going as Corey Irby ended the drive with a quarterback sack and forced Clarkdale into punt formation.
Enterprise was back on offense for the second time of the night and this drive ended when Clarkdale forced a very much needed turnover with 6:16 left in the first quarter. Clarkdale would come up empty on the drive as Anthony Rawson recorded a sack on third down to force yet another CHS punt. After the end of the first quarter the Enterprise offense would finally get in gear and put the first points on the board.
Senior tailback Cody Windham would score from six-yards out to give Enterprise the first touchdown of the night. Wade Weathers added the extra point to make the score 7-0 with 10:17 remaining until halftime. After a slow second quarter on offense for both squads, Enterprise opened the second half with a big turnover on special teams. Scott Moseley came up with a fumble to give Enterprise the ball in excellent field position.
The Clarkdale defense would answer the call as Cedric Burns would force a fumble and come up with the football to put Clarkdale back on offense. "I think our kids played hard on defense and we made some plays to keep us in the game," Clarkdale head coach Gary Lee said. "We just couldn't get things going on offense and you need to give Enterprise a lot of credit."
After another failed Clarkdale possession, Enterprise took the ball the length of the field for its second score of the evening. Simpson would do the honors for EHS with a hard one-yard touchdown run to extend the lead to 14-0 with 1:24 left in the third. Enterprise added its final score of the game with 3:02 in the fourth quarter on a 35-yard touchdown run by quarterback Wade Weathers to push the score to 20-0.
The Clarkdale offense would put a score on the board with about one minute remaining. Sophomore quarterback Blake Johnson connected with Cliff James for a 3-yard passing touchdown to cut the lead 20-6, but it would be to late as Enterprise took the win.
Windham finished the night with 23 carries for 152 yards and Simpson had 20 rushes for 95 yards to pace the Bulldog offense. Johnson would lead the Clarkdale offensive attack with 59 yards passing and a touchdown.
Enterprise will return to action at home against West Lauderdale next Friday, while Clarkdale will hit the road against Southeast Lauderdale on Thursday.

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